About the Waggy Retreat Hotel
At The Waggy Retreat Hotel, we’ve created a peaceful countryside retreat just outside of Bristol where dogs can enjoy all the comforts of home alongside plenty of exercise, enrichment and personal attention. Based in North Somerset within a stunning Georgian property, our five-star rated boarding and day care service offers a calm and caring alternative to larger kennel environments.
By keeping our guest numbers small, we’re able to give every dog the individual care they deserve, taking time to understand their routine, personality and needs. From woodland walks and supervised play to cosy evenings and lots of affection, every stay is designed to help your dog feel relaxed, happy and completely at ease. More than anything, we want every dog that stays with us to feel safe, loved and part of the family from the moment they arrive.
A team who truly love what they do
At The Waggy Retreat Hotel, everything we do is centred around your dog’s wellbeing. From the moment they arrive at our retreat just outside of Bristol, we take the time to get to know their personality, routine and little quirks, so they feel safe, settled and right at home. With only a small number of dogs staying with us, we’re able to give each one the individual attention they deserve – whether that’s extra playtime, gentle reassurance or simply a quiet cuddle.
Our days are thoughtfully structured to strike the perfect balance between exercise, enrichment and relaxation. With acres of secure North Somerset countryside to explore, plenty of fresh air and space to roam, your dog can enjoy a natural, stimulating environment before returning inside to a warm, cosy setting designed for rest and comfort. Every detail, from their sleeping space to their daily routine, is carefully considered to ensure they feel happy, relaxed and truly cared for throughout their stay.
Meet the Waggy Retreat Hotel's Team
Rhianna, Dan, Kenzo and Yazzy
Rhianna, Dan, Kenzo and Yazzy are the founders behind our home-from-home dog care.
When we moved to this house, we had a clear vision: to create a place where dogs could come for daycare and holidays, have all their needs met, and feel safe, happy and loved while spending time away from their owners.
We wanted secure fields, a structured routine, enriching walks, mental and physical stimulation, and most importantly, a homely feel. Our aim has always been to create an environment where dogs are excited to arrive and owners can leave them feeling completely reassured and guilt-free.
As a family, we are all passionate about dog care. We have completed numerous courses in dog care, first aid and training, and we continue to learn and develop our knowledge. Rhianna is a qualified dog trainer with OCN the IMDT School of Canine Science .
Caring for dogs is more than a job for us — it is a lifestyle we truly adore. It is hard work, but we would not change it for the world. Every dog in our care receives the highest quality of daily care, and owners are sent daily reports with photos showing the adventures their dogs have been enjoying.
Emily
Emily has been part of our team for four years and brings a wealth of experience, warmth and knowledge to the dogs in our care.
Coming from a working farm background, Emily has grown up around animals and has always had a natural love and understanding of them. She has experience with a huge variety of dog breeds, but she has a particular passion for high-energy working breeds and helping dogs build their confidence.
Emily has completed a range of training courses through the School of Canine Science and the IMDT, continuing to develop her knowledge and skills in dog care, training and behaviour.
At home, Emily lives with her lovely husband and two beautiful children. In her spare time, she still helps out on the family farm during lambing season and loves being outdoors, spending time on her allotment with her children and enjoying the fresh air.
Tilly
Tilly is currently in her fourth year of a Veterinary Nursing degree and has a real passion for understanding dogs as individuals.
She adores trick training and loves learning about dog behaviour, especially how to bring out the very best in each dog. At home, Tilly has two Cockapoos, both with completely different personalities — one is high energy with low food motivation, while the other is lower energy but highly food motivated. This has given her brilliant first-hand experience in adapting training and enrichment to suit each dog’s needs.
Tilly has also completed a range of training and behaviour courses with the IMDT and the School of Canine Science. She is always keen to keep learning and developing her understanding of canine behaviour.
Charlotte
Charlotte holds a degree in Animal Behaviour and has a special interest in helping small and medium-sized dogs build confidence.
Her areas of passion include confidence building, rescue work and rehabilitation. Charlotte finds it hugely rewarding to help dogs grow in confidence through trust, care, patience and play.
At home, Charlotte has a cat who sleeps on her head every night, as well as a rescue miniature poodle who she absolutely adores.
Charlotte is committed to continual education and has completed courses with both the School of Canine Science and the IMDT, helping her continue to develop her skills in dog behaviour, training and care.
Ffion
Hiya, I’m Ffion! I’m about to start my third year studying veterinary nursing after completing my clinical placement year. I live in Clevedon with my partner and my tortoiseshell cat, Ghostie, and often head back to Cardiff to visit my family dog, Luna.
I love spending time with all breeds of dogs, but I definitely have a soft spot for the gentle giants. I also have a special place in my heart for our more anxious dogs - there’s nothing better than the moment they finally learn to trust you and show their love!
One of my favourite things is doing agility training with the pups during their holiday. I love seeing how proud they are of themselves when they realise how well they’ve done! That said, I’m just as happy with a good old cuddle too.
Outside of work and studying, I enjoy hiking and travelling. Last year I hiked from Luxembourg City to Brussels - I’m really hoping to take on something similar again this year!
Maisie
Meet Maisie, the newest member of our team!
Maisie has a degree in Equine Science and will be starting her Master’s in Veterinary Physiotherapy in September. She has been riding since the age of four and has a huge love for both showjumping and cross country.
Maisie adores all animals but has a very special place in her heart for horses and dogs 🐶. She has a real passion for working with big breeds and especially loves agility, as well as helping dogs use their brains to their full potential.
Away from work, Maisie loves spending time with her fabulous Weimaraner, Winnie, who is a big queen with oodles of personality and a very soppy, cuddly side. Maisie enjoys long beach walks with Winnie and nothing beats cuddling up with her on the sofa afterwards.
Casie
Casie joined our team in 2024 after completing an apprenticeship working with sporting dogs, bringing with her a strong understanding of canine care, behaviour and enrichment.
Since joining us, Casie has continued to develop her knowledge and skills, gaining a range of qualifications through the IMDT, as well as achieving an Ofqual Level 3 qualification in Day Care and Boarding. Her calm, caring nature and commitment to professional development make her a valued member of our team.
Casie is currently on maternity leave after welcoming her baby girl in October . In her limited spare time, she enjoys horse riding and long walks with her Labrador, Clem 🐶